President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated what the Federal Government described as West Africa's largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, with the capacity to process 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium daily and three million metric tonnes annually.
The facility, located in Endo Community, Nasarawa Local Government Area, was officially inaugurated on Thursday.
The company behind the project has reportedly created more than 1,000 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect employment opportunities since commencing operations in the area.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu said the solid minerals sector remains a critical pillar of economic development because modern technology depends heavily on mineral resources, making the sector a priority for his administration.
He, however, stressed that natural resources alone do not guarantee prosperity, noting that countries achieve sustainable growth by transforming their resources into economic wealth through discipline, innovation, technology, skilled manpower and industrial development.
"Across the world, countries blessed with minerals, oil, gas, fertile lands and strategic locations remain trapped in poverty because they failed to convert these resources into productive capacity, while nations with far fewer advantages have risen to global prominence through discipline, enterprise, technology, skills and industrial organisation.
"Natural resources may be a blessing, but only vision can turn them into wealth. Only institutions can protect that wealth. Only industry can multiply it, and only people can give it meaning," he said.
The President noted that discussions about Nigeria's abundant mineral resources, including gold, lithium, tin, iron ore, bitumen, coal and rare earth elements, must now shift from resource extraction to industrial production and value addition.
He said the inauguration of the Diamond New Energy project demonstrates growing investor confidence in Nigeria, Nasarawa State and the economic reforms introduced by his administration.
According to him, the investment reflects confidence that Nigeria is prepared to compete in the global minerals industry by creating jobs, developing local skills, strengthening businesses and expanding industrial production.
Tinubu described lithium as one of the world's most important minerals due to its central role in battery manufacturing, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage technologies.
He said the new processing plant should be viewed as part of Nigeria's broader industrialisation drive rather than simply another infrastructure project.
"A factory is never just a building; it is where policy becomes employment, where investment becomes production, and where hope begins to acquire structure. Every factory that opens on Nigerian soil is an act of faith in our people, our institutions and the possibilities of this Republic," he stated.
The President commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for positioning Nasarawa State as a leading destination for mining and industrial investments.
He praised the governor for creating an environment that encourages investors to do business confidently, adding that leadership plays a key role in attracting investment.
According to Tinubu, sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace, just as lasting peace depends on economic development.
In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to the successful establishment of the lithium processing plant in Endo Community.
He particularly thanked the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company for choosing Nasarawa State as the destination for the investment.
The governor also invited more investors in the mining sector to take advantage of the state's favourable business environment and abundant mineral deposits.
He said Nasarawa possesses commercial quantities of lead, zinc, lithium, copper, gemstones, gold, marble and iron ore, in addition to fertile agricultural land.
Sule added that the state's proximity to the Federal Capital Territory provides a significant advantage for industrial development and housing projects.
He also commended the people of Endo Community for their patience and support throughout the project's development, describing them as the biggest beneficiaries of the investment.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the commissioning of the lithium processing plant reflects the success of the Tinubu administration's policy on local value addition in the mining sector.
According to him, the Federal Government is committed to transforming Nigeria's solid minerals industry through local processing instead of exporting raw mineral resources.
Alake explained that the policy is intended to create employment opportunities, build local expertise and increase industrial capacity.
He noted that Diamond Energy Group has embraced the government's local value addition policy and described the project as evidence of its effectiveness.
The minister added that several African countries are now adopting similar policies by discouraging the export of unprocessed minerals.
He expressed confidence in the partnership with Diamond Energy Group and urged other investors to establish mineral processing facilities within Nigeria.
According to Alake, the Federal Government's long-term objective is to manufacture lithium batteries, electric vehicles, mobile phones, solar panels, solar-powered turbines and other products that depend on lithium.
"We want to produce everything in Nigeria. Diamond Energy has started, Nasarawa State has started, Nigeria remains on the go," he said.
Earlier, the Ambassador of JULING and CANMAX, Yu Chongqiang, who spoke on behalf of Diamond New Energy, said the company was established with the vision of making Nigeria a leader in the global minerals industry through responsible mining, value addition and industrial innovation.
He explained that the company's investments extend beyond mining to include advanced processing technology, modern infrastructure, workforce development, environmental sustainability and partnerships with government and host communities.
According to him, the completion of the company's processing facilities in Ogun State and the continued expansion of its flagship lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State represent major milestones in its long-term investment strategy.
Yu added that the company is developing an integrated industrial platform that will support local manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and contribute to Africa's transition to clean energy.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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